The Workplace: a Podcast by CalChamber

Episode 35: From Clowns to Pigs: Dealing with Unconventional Requests in the Workplace

Accommodating an employee’s medical needs can be complicated—especially when support animals are involved. News outlets throughout the world have covered the array of accommodation requests made in the workplace, including emotional support dogs, peacocks and even pigs. But what does the law require? Would an emotional support clown qualify as an accommodation? In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw explain the three factors that employers should consider when an employee asks for a service or emotional support animal accommodation.

Episode 34: Measures Employers Should Incorporate to Mitigate Risks Under PAGA

One of the most onerous labor laws employers in California contend with is the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). The law, which some have nicknamed "the sue your boss law," allows employees to file lawsuits to recover civil penalties on behalf of themselves, other employees, and the State of California for labor code violations. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank, and wage and class action expert Michael Nader review the actions employers can take to mitigate PAGA liability risks

Episode 33: Offsite Workplace Events

Off-site work events can help create a more collaborative workforce, but they also come with a range of liability risks. In this episode of The Workplace podcast, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw cover the benefits and drawbacks of hosting an off-site work event

Episode 32: Sexual Harassment at the Workplace

What are the obligations when an employee steps forward with a sexual harassment complaint? In this episode of The Workplace, workplace investigations expert Lisa Buehler joins CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel  Erika Frank to talk about emerging issues and best practices when conducting a workplace sexual harassment investigation.

Episode 31: Trends in Employee Benefits

CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and employee benefits expert Vinny Catalano discuss trends in employee benefits that are low in cost to employers, but high in value to employees.

Episode 30: Ageism in the Workplace

In today’s modern workforce, it’s not uncommon to find employees from a number of generations in a single company. CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank talks with employment law expert Jennifer Shaw about the pitfalls of age-based stereotyping, succession planning, and mandatory retirement.

Episode 29: Legislative Update II

CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank, CalChamber Policy Advocate Robert Moutrie, and longtime Capitol lobbyist Chris Micheli discuss the important bills affecting employers that await action by the Governor and some of the related last-minute political scenarios.

Episode 28: Garnishment of Wages

In this episode of The Workplace, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank is joined by employment law expert Jennifer Shaw to discuss what responsibilities employers have when served with a wage garnishment order for an employee.

Episode 27: Tips on Open Enrollment, Employee Benefits Strategies

In this episode of The Workplace, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank is joined by employee benefits expert Vinny Catalano of Gallagher Benefit Services to discuss open enrollment options for employers and trends in benefit offerings. In addition, Frank and Catalano underscore the importance of communicating the value of the benefits provided to employees.

Episode 26: From Coffee to Roasted Asparagus—How Prop. 65 Is Leading to Excessive Product Warnings

 In this episode of The Workplace, CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank and CalChamber Policy Advocate Adam Regele discuss Proposition 65 and how it has been used as a vehicle to unscrupulously sue businesses across the state.